Report: Canales, Stotts finalists for Blazers job

Kaleb Canales, who was the interim coach last season, and Terry Stotts reportedly are the finalists for the Portland Trail Blazers' head coaching position.

Elston Turner and Steve Clifford have been eliminated from consideration, The Oregonian reported Wednesday.

All four candidates interviewed in Portland last week. Canales and Stotts are expected to interview with owner Paul Allen when he returns from attending the Olympics in London, which end Aug. 12.

Canales, 34, is the youngest of the candidates, and the candidate who comes with the strong endorsement of the Blazers players. He replaced head coach Nate McMillan in March and went 8-15. A former video coordinator for the team who works out with star LaMarcus Aldridge, Canales coached the Blazers' Summer League team and guided them to a 4-1 record. In the process, he worked extensively with heralded rookies Damian Lillard and Meyers Leonard.

Stotts is the lead assistant for Dallas and is the only finalist besides Canales with head coaching experience. He has a 114-168 record in four seasons as a head coach in Atlanta and Milwaukee. His best season was in 2005-2006 when he led the Bucks to a 40-42 record and a playoff appearance. He is credited with directing Dallas' offense during the Mavericks' title run in 2011.